YELLOW SHEET Office of the State Auditor of Missouri Claire McCaskill

Report No. 2006-22

April 2006

The following findings were included in our audit of the Department of Corrections, St. Louis Community Release Center.

The St. Louis Community Release Center (SLCRC) became operational in 1978, as the St. Mary's Honor Center.  In 1996, the facility moved to its present location.  Originally the facility housed only men, but expanded to include women in 1984, The facility has a maximum capacity of 550 beds.

During the years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, room and board fee collections totaled approximately $380,000 and $371,500, respectively.  The business office contacts the Central Office instructing them to enter the offender in the room and board database and begin assessing those fees.  Business office employees are also responsible for receipting these fees and transmitting them to the Central Office for deposit.  There is no supervisory review of the documentation for the initiation of these fees.  Additionally, the SLCRC does not have a formal written policy for credits given to offenders for room and board fees.  During the fiscal years ended 2005 and 2004, credits totaled $260,984 and $271,140, respectively.

Furthermore, during this same period, several offenders were released with room and board balances over $300 and without a judge's order for release on a specific date.  There was no documentation, except the approval of the superintendent, to indicate why these offenders were released in violation of  Department of Corrections (DOC) policy.  Although the offender's probation officer is notified of any outstanding room and board fees upon release, the SLCRC does not perform any follow-up procedures on these unpaid fees.

Currently, the SLCRC also does not assess charges until offenders gain employment, contrary to DOC policy.  As of November 17, 2005, there was approximately $1.4 million in outstanding room and board fees.

No independent verification of physical inventory is performed after the custodial armory officer conducts a monthly physical inventory, which is a violation of DOC policy.

The audit also includes comments related to payroll and cash procedures which the center should consider and take appropriate corrective action.

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